Robert B. Parker

[jeseymour]

Died at his desk. This morning, I think. He will be missed.

Not a lot of news on it yet.

[Maryn]

Oh, that's a damned shame. I very much enjoyed his work. I'd marry Hawk in a heartbeat.

Maryn, saddened

[Chase]

I, too, am saddened to learn of the loss to readers everywhere.

[TC Beacham]

Such sad news! I always look forward to the next book and am really glad there will be a new Jesse Stone novel in February.

[Carlene]

Just read on the news that Robert Parker died today at age 77. I had the honor of meeting him at a writing seminar held in Fitchberg, Mass in the 80's. He was a very nice man ... and very much Spenser.

Carlene

[Medievalist]

He was a scholar, a fine writer and teller of tales, and a devout curmudgeon. He will be missed.

[MaryMumsy]

I am stunned. I love the Spenser books, and his old west trilogy is classic. I had no idea he was that old.

MM

[heyjude]

Merged threads.

We've lost one of the greats. Much sympathy to his family.

[TC Beacham]

Just read on the news that Robert Parker died today at age 77. I had the honor of meeting him at a writing seminar held in Fitchberg, Mass in the 80's. He was a very nice man ... and very much Spenser.

Carlene

Ah-ha! I always guessed he was Spenser.

[delb0y]

Huge loss. Great writer. Tremendous set of books for us all to read and/or reread.

Del

[Carlene]

Parker had us all in stitches at the seminar. He told us about his trip to L.A. when some producers wanted to make a Spenser movie. He had no intention of selling the character, but said, Hey, a first class plane ticket round trip? Great hotel room. Why not? Anyhow, they were in talks and Parker asked who they were thinking of to play Spenser and they said....Dustin Hoffman! The entire audience groaned. Hoffman is a great actor but...he sure isn't Spenser.

He sure will be missed.

Carlene

[DWSTXS]

he wrote a western trilogy?

[MaryMumsy]

he wrote a western trilogy?

Appaloosa which was made into a film by Ed Harris, Resolution, and Brimstone. I think Appaloosa was published in 2005. I haven't seen the film and it got meh reviews. Having grown up reading westerns as well as mysteries I found them very true to type. Westerns, as opposed to novels set in the West.

MM

[Ken Hoss]

He will be missed. Love the Spenser books.



He told us about his trip to L.A. when some producers wanted to make a Spenser movie.

Parker asked who they were thinking of to play Spenser and they said....Dustin Hoffman!

I would have groaned too! Now Robert Ulrich made a great Spenser in the television series. IMO But the books were better! (Aren't they always?)
:D

Great article here:

http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-robert-parker20-2010jan20,0,3618372.story

[Jamesaritchie]

I loved all his books, and never missed one. He did a wonderful job with the recent westerns. I was fortunate enough to have a coupel of great conversations with him, and he really was a curmudgeon.

But what more can any writer ask than to have a history of great books, and to die at his desk writing the next one?

[alleycat]

It's been a long time since I've read one of his novels. I decided to "honor him" by reading one I hadn't read before: Paper Doll. I haven't read far into it yet, but so far it's been good.

[slcboston]

NY Times article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/books/20parker.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

And I, for one, have lost one of my favorite writers.

[GeorgieB]

My bookshelf has a section dedicated to two M/T/S authors, Robert Parker and Elmore Leonard. Both writers are/were experts at creating worlds through dialogue. Some of my readers have commented on the dialogue I use, and I always credit Parker and Leonard for that.

(I accidentally started another thread -- the search function didn't pick up this one.)

R.I.P. Robert B. Parker...

[TC Beacham]

Just pre-ordered SPLIT IMAGE, a Jesse Stone novel out Feb. 23 - bless Mr. Parker!

[TC Beacham]

I'm reading Appaloosa soon.

I look forward to Parker's Westerns - haven't read any of them yet.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Wow. Didn't hear about this until I saw this thread just now. R.I.P.

[TC Beacham]

Just finished Robert B. Parker's SPLIT IMAGE (published last week).

This novel was equal parts Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall - and both storylines were sort of wrapped up, as if the author expected both series to end.

I'll really miss these characters - ALL of Parker's characters!

[TC Beacham]

TC, I finished Appaloosa, and am almost finished with Brimstone. Both are really, really good. Highly recommend them.

Thanks - I'll have to sample them. Don't usually read Westerns, but I'm really going to miss Parker!

[MMcQuown]

I hadn't been aware of Parker's death until watching the crawl for the Jesse Stone movie. I just don't pay much attention to the news, and computer problems have kept me away from the Water Cooler off and on for awhile.
I met Mr. Parker at a bookstore King of Prussia about fifteen years ago. There was not much in the way of a turnout, sadly. The high point of the occasion was my ex trying to convince Parker that Susan, as described in the stories, had to be anorexic. I don't think he was convinced, but he was gratified that someone cared that much about his characters. I would love to know what he might have said about it to his wife. I am sorry to hear of his death, as his life certainly made mine more enjoyable.

[TC Beacham]

Lucky you, meeting the late great Parker!

It's interesting to read reviews of his books on Amazon - so many readers dislike Susan, but this is the first time I've heard the anorexia angle. It's true she's always moving her food around her plate and taking tiny nibbles.

[RJK]

Sorry to say, I haven't read the Jesse Stone novels. I have read some of his Spenser stories. I think Tom Selleck and the other actors have done a great job on the stories, but, as I said, I haven't read them so I really can't compare.